Jamaica

Exercise increased caution in Jamaica due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Exercise increased caution in Jamaica due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Violent crime, such as home invasions, armed robberies, and homicide is common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts. Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from driving outside of prescribed areas of Kingston at night.

Do not travel to:

The below-listed areas of Kingston due to crime.

The below-listed areas of Montego Bay due to crime.

Spanish Town due to crime.

Kingston

Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Kingston. Do not travel to the following areas:

Cassava Piece

Downtown Kingston, defined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston includes Trench Town, Tivoli Gardens, and Arnett Gardens.

U.S. citizens are generally required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to Jamaica, as well as proof of anticipated departure from Jamaica. If you are traveling to Jamaica on a cruise, you may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document. However, we strongly recommend you obtain a passport before travel in case an emergency requires you to disembark and return by air. You do not need a visa for tourist travel up to 90 days. All other travelers will need a visa and/or work permit.

Crime: Violent crime, including sexual assault, is a serious problem throughout Jamaica, particularly in Kingston and Montego Bay. Jamaica’s police force is understaffed and has limited resources. Gated resorts are not immune to violent crime.

Do not travel to the following areas:

In Kingston:

Cassava Piece

Downtown Kingston, defined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston includes Trench Town, Tivoli Gardens, and Arnett Gardens.

Grants Pen

Standpipe

In Montego Bay:

Canterbury

Clavers Street

Flankers

Hart Street

Norwood

Rose Heights

Spanish Town

Recommendations:

Avoid inner-city areas of Kingston and other cities, especially after dark.

Avoid walking alone, especially after dark.

Do not accept rides from unknown individuals, including operators of unmarked taxis.

Avoid public buses.

If staying in a villa or small establishment, ask if they meet Jamaica Tourist Board safety and security standards.

Sexual Assault: Rape and sexual assault are serious problems throughout Jamaica, including at resorts and hotels. Date rape drugs may be used at private parties and resorts.

If you are victim of a sexual assault, contact the police and the U.S. Embassy in Kingston as soon as possible. In a hotel, management should assist you with these communications.

Victims of sexual assault in Jamaica should not expect the same assistance routinely offered in the United States. Rape kits are not always available and victims must often ask for medication to avoid STD transmission and reduce the chances of pregnancy. Counseling is unlikely to be offered. Law enforcement shortcomings exist in collection of evidence. Prosecution of rape cases moves very slowly and victims may need to return to Jamaica during the legal process.

Recommendations:

Avoid secluded places or situations, including at resorts. Try to always be accompanied by someone you know, including when going to the restroom.

Security outside of resort areas is unpredictable, especially at night. Do not leave resort property with someone you have just met.

Many guests drink heavily in all-inclusive resorts, which can lead to unpredictable behavior.

Shout for help immediately if you feel threatened or encounter individuals who make you feel uncomfortable.

Report any suspicious activity, including inappropriate comments or behavior by hotel employees or other guests, to hotel management, the U.S. Embassy, and local police as appropriate. Resort employees are prohibited from engaging in romantic or sexual relations with guests.

Drugs: Marijuana is not legal for non-residents of Jamaica. Any attempt to take marijuana in or out of the country may lead to a serious charge of drug trafficking. Possession of two ounces or less of marijuana may result in a fine. Possession of larger amounts of marijuana, or possession of other illegal drugs, may lead to arrest and prosecution. Foreign visitors to Jamaica may use marijuana for medicinal purposes with a prescription from a physician in the United States or a local doctor.

Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Firearms: Jamaica strictly forbids importing or possessing firearms in Jamaica without prior authorization of the Firearms Licensing Authority of Jamaica. A U.S. concealed carry permit does not allow you to bring a firearm or ammunition into Jamaica.

If you bring a firearm, firearm components, firearm parts, or ammunition (even a single bullet) to Jamaica, you will be arrested and prosecuted. This will result in a large fine and/or incarceration for an unspecified amount of time. Bringing mace, pepper spray, or knives into Jamaica without authorization will also lead to arrest.

LGBTI Travelers: Jamaican law contains specific prohibitions on “acts of gross indecency” – generally interpreted as any kind of physical intimacy – between persons of the same sex, in public or in private, and provides punishment of up to 10 years in prison. There is also an “anti-buggery” law that specifically prohibits even consensual same-sex sexual conduct between men.

Negative attitudes towards LGBTI issues are widespread in Jamaica. There are continued reports of serious discrimination and abuse against LGBTI individuals, including:

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: While some of the country’s all-inclusive resorts meet U.S. standards, most transportation, entertainment, and medical facilities are not designed to accommodate travelers with disabilities.

Quality medical care is limited in Jamaica and public health facilities do not meet U.S. standards. Private facilities require large up-front payments even in emergencies. Emergency medical services are located only in Kingston and Montego Bay. Smaller public hospitals are located in each parish.

Prescription Drugs: Availability is very limited in outlying parishes. EpiPens are not sold anywhere on the island.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Government of Jamaica to ensure the medication is legal in Jamaica. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

Road Conditions and Safety: Jamaicans drive on the left side of the road. Here are some notes for your safety:

Night time driving is extremely hazardous due to poor lighting and unpredictable pavement.

Heavy rains can make roads impassable and dangerous.

Many roads suffer from ill repair, inadequate signage, large potholes and poor traffic markings. There is a lack of pedestrian crosswalks.

Pedestrians and animals share the roadways with vehicles.

There have been reports of carjackings, including of rental cars.

Only two highways are roughly comparable to U.S. standards, T1 which connects Spanish Town (near Kingston) to May Pen and Highway 2000 which connects Spanish Town to Mammee Bay.

Driving habits range from aggressive speeding and sudden stops by taxis in the middle of the road to over-polite drivers who suddenly stop to allow a car to pull in front of them. All can lead to accidents.

Official emergency response can be slow. In practice, assistance given in emergency situations is generally by fellow motorists.

Traffic Laws:

Traffic circles (“roundabouts”) are often poorly marked and require traffic to move in a clockwise direction. Motorists entering a roundabout must yield to those already in it.

Drivers and front-seat passengers are required to wear seat belts.

Motorcycle riders are required to wear helmets.

Public Transportation: Do not use public buses.

Official public transportation vehicles have red license plates.

Private vehicles, NOT licensed for public transportation, have white license plates with blue letters/numbers.

Public buses are often overcrowded and are frequently a venue for crime. There are reports of private buses, acting as public transport, driving erratically leading to injury and death for both riders and pedestrians.

You should only use licensed taxicabs having red-and-white PP license plates or taxis recommended by your hotel.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Jamaica’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of air carrier operations in Jamaica. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

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